Ponta Delgada - Cabo da Roca

Again it’s been too long from my last post… no reason for it, just being a slack as usually 😂.

First the travelling! Five weeks ago I spent five days in Ponta Delgada, Azores. The weather was not the best and I also had a flu, and I was really close to cancelling my trip because of that. But the place was absolutely amazing! It was not the high season, so it was quiet and peaceful, exactly how I like it :). My hotel was Comfort Inn, very nice three star hotel in a good location, breakfast was included. My flight there was unfortunately very painful for my ears because of the flu. Literally, I heard NOTHING with my right ear after landing. And also very little with my left ear. I was wondering why the airport was so quiet after landing, and nobody spoke anything when waiting for the baggage to arrive at the belt. Then I realised I just can’t hear. The taxi driver stood about one meter away from me but I had to read his lips what he was asking me. At the hotel I tried to blow my ear open, and I heard a huge BANG, which really is not the sound you want coming from your ear. I thought I destroyed my ears so bad… However, the next morning I had almost zero dizziness! Unbelievable but good!

My plan was to spend some time in Ponta Delgada, and then do some day trips nearby and go hiking. But due to the rainy weather and my flu, I just stayed in Ponta Delgada the whole time. I walked around the city and seaside or course, sat in nice cafes when the sun was shining. Even though it was rainy, it was still warmer than in Lisbon! I enjoyed the place and since the flights there are cheap, it won’t be a problem to go there again, hopefully with better luck in weather and my health to go hiking and see more of the islands.

I didn’t take that many pictures, but here are some of them!

I have spent some time in Sintra, and one thing I really recommend; they have classical concerts every weekend in Pena Palace, and I went to one of them. It was Saturday evening at 21, the ticket costs only 10 € and the concert last about 2 hours! The concert place was one of the rooms in the palace, they put the chairs around. They had a pianist, a baritone and two sopranos, and we sat just a couple of meters away from them. They played Brazilian songs from the 18th and 19th century if I remember it correctly. It was all in Portuguese of course, but still so enjoyable. And because the palace is not open at that time anymore, you can drive up there!

Last weekend I went to Cabo da Roca, which is the most westerly point in mainland Europe. It is very popular destination, and even now there were lots of people. In high season I would not enjoy it… The weather was very windy, but the scenery was so breathtaking! Definitely a place to visit, but in high season I would go there very early in the morning to avoid the huge crowds.

Here are some pics from there, and even a pic of me there! I don’t post many pics of me, because I usually don’t have pics of me! Simple.

Then other news, I rented a room on my own and moved out of the company apartment a month ago. I found a very nice room in Amadora, 10 mins to train station and 11 minutes by train to Entrecampos where I work. If the office moves, it will take about 20 mins longer to get to work, so still it will be ok. The owner is Brazilian, who doesn’t speak much English, but we manage just fine :). She doesn’t live here anymore but visits quite often. I have a roommate, Peruvian woman who speaks English and is just lovely! The owner has a cat (boy), and the room mate also has a cat, a girl who is playing hard to get. It was hilarious to watch those two! Now the boy has moved out and she misses him… but when he visits, she is again being a bitch :D. Anyway, the room is quite spacious, I have enough closets, a double bed and my own balcony! I bought a heater so it is warm at nights too. The rent is 320 € a month and 30 € for utilities. The monthly ticket for transportation is about 43 €. I would save more money in company apartment but then I will just save in some other expenses. I don’t eat out in restaurants that often anymore, but more cook myself. It is so nice to cook when the kitchen is clean and everyone cleans up after themselves…

Travel plans? I hope to take a week off in a month, and planning on going to Morocco then. That would be country nr 42! Then in the end of May one friend from Finland is coming for a visit, and I will also take a couple of days off then. Haven’t planned anything for that yet, but at least Cascais is on the list! I just love that place, that’s why. Then in August-September visit Finland, then it will be over 2 years from my last visit 🙄. Of course I can also do weekend trips, maybe Peniche, or Tomar… we’ll see, as always :).